Item 4A2CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY SUMMER WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES, JUNE 26, 2025
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CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUMMER WORKSHOP MINUTES
JUNE 26, 2025
LOCATION: 285 Shady Oaks Lane
Legends Hall, at The Marq
CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Shawn McCaskill, Mayor Pro Tem Randy
Williamson, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Talley and Councilmembers Randy Robbins,
Frances Scharli, Austin Reynolds, and Chuck Taggart.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Alison Ortowski, Assistant City Manager James
Brandon, Assistant City Manager Stacey Black, Assistant to the City Manager Bora
Sulollari, Director of Communications Pilar Schank, Chief Financial Officer Sharen
Jackson, Assistant Police Chief Jose Luna, Fire Chief Shannon Langford, Director of
Economic Development and Tourism Daniel Cortez, Director of Planning and
Development Services Dennis Killough, Director of Community Services David Miller,
Deputy Director of Community Services Ryan McGrail, Deputy Director of Community
Services Fince Espinoza, Interim Director of Public Works Lauren LaNeave, and City
Secretary Amy Shelley.
WORKSHOP:
1.CALL TO ORDER
The Strategic Priority Workshop was called to order by Mayor McCaskill at 5:00pm.
2A. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor McCaskill announced the City Council would go into Executive Session pursuant
to the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section 551.072
deliberation regarding real property. The City Council adjourned for Executive Session
at 5:00pm. Executive Session began at 5:15pm and concluded at 6:10pm.
2B. RECONVENE
Mayor McCaskill reconvened the workshop at 6:17pm.
3.DISCUSSION: MAJOR EVENTS PLANNING
3A. SOUTHLAKE’S 70TH BIRTHDAY
3B. FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
ITEM 4A2
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY SUMMER WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES, JUNE 26, 2025
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Economic Development and Tourism Director Daniel Cortez facilitated a discussion
about Southlake’s 70th Birthday and the FIFA World Cup 2026.
3C. HOLIDAY SEASON ENHANCEMENTS
Economic Development and Tourism Director Daniel Cortez facilitated a discussion
about holiday season enhancements.
4. DISCUSSION: PARKWOOD SITE PLANNING
4A. VETERANS MEMORIAL
4B. FUTURE CIVIC USES
Assistant City Manager Stacey Black facilitated a discussion about the Veterans
Memorial and future civic uses.
5. DISCUSSION: RECREATION & ATHLETICS
5A. FUTURE FACILITY PLANNING
5B. FIELD OPTIMIZATION
Community Services Director David Miller facilitated a discussion about future facility
planning an field optimization.
6. DISCUSSION: ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TALENT IN OUR MARKET
Assistant City Manager Stacey Black facilitated a discussion about attracting and
retaining talent in our market.
Mayor McCaskill recessed the workshop at 8:02pm.
Mayor McCaskill reconvened the workshop at 8:13pm.
7. DISCUSSION: FINANCIAL OUTLOOK AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY:
PREPARING FOR SOUTHLAKE’S FUTURE
Chief Financial Officer Sharen Jackson facilitated a discussion about the City’s financial
outlook and operational efficiencies, and preparing for Southlake’s future.
8. DISCUSSION: FOCUS AREAS
A. SAFETY & SECURITY
B. IINFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
C. PARTNERSHIPS & VOLUNTEERISM
D. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT & SERVICE DELIVERY
No discussion was necessary on these items.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY SUMMER WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES, JUNE 26, 2025
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As a result of the Executive Session held earlier, a motion was made to authorize the
City Manager to negotiate and execute a letter of intent, and other related contract
documents, to acquire real property for future parks and recreation facilities in the City
of Southlake, and to coordinate with the Southlake Parks Development Corporation
concerning funding of the land acquisition and development of the facilities.
Motion: Talley
Second: Williamson
Ayes: Talley, Scharli, McCaskill, Reynolds, Taggart, Williamson
Nays: Robbins
Absent: None
Approved: 6-1
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor McCaskill thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication to the City and
adjourned the workshop at 9:25pm.
*An audio recording of this meeting will be permanently retained in the City Secretary’s
Office.
MINUTES APPROVED ON THIS, THE 5TH DAY OF AUGUST 2025.
______________________________
Shawn McCaskill
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Amy Shelley, TRMC
City Secretary